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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: chike paul <chikepaul1970@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 28 Jun 2006 07:19:15 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: URGENT


ATTN ;

I'VE BEEN CHECKING MY EMAIL DAILY TO HAVE THE MAILING ADDRESS WHERE I CAN SEND THE CHEQUE.

THE CASHIER'S CHEQUE IS HERE WITH ME WRITTEN ON YOUR NAME.
SINCE YOU HAVE PROVIDED ME WITH THE MAILING ADDDRESS,
I WILL SEND CHEQUE THROUGH FEDEX RED EXPRESS OR DHL SERVICE.

THINGS NEEDED
WE NEED YOUR FULL NAME
YOUR POSTAL ADDRESS
YOUR TELEPHONE CONTACT WHERE THE FEDEX OFFICE CAN CONTACT YOU.

YOURS FAITHFULLY,
CHIKE PAUL


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